Packaging for frangible sheets



June 25, 1968 UDGARD PACKAGING FOR FRANGIBLE SHEETS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed May 5, 1967 NVENTOR' 0W/9/?0 I Z/06/9fi0 ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent 3,389,786 PACKAGING FOR FRANGIBLE SHEETS Edward J. Lidgard,Lathrup Village, Mich., assigncr to Flotepak Corporation, Southfield,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed May 5, 1967, Ser. No. 636,388 4Claims. (Cl. 206-62) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A packaging device forhandling individual frangible plates such as glass which comprises anenclosure and a supporting panel within the enclosure carrying uniquelocking devices engageable with the edge of the plates for spacing theplates from the walls of the enclosure and also assuring against side orendwise displacement such that the edges of the plate are well protectedwithin the enclosure.

This invention relates to a packaging system for handling material suchas glass which is used particularly in automobiles. There are a numberof occasions when glass panels must be shipped individually to variouspoints for replacement purposes and it is desirable to have a simplepackage unit which can withstand the shocks of shipment.

The present invention contemplates simple packaging structure forindividual sheets of laminate or tempered glass which can be readilyadapted to various shapes and sizes of sheets and which affords inherentprotection to all edges. Tempered glass in general needs edge protectionbut stands up well against side blows. Laminate glass requires moreprotection against blows. Optional package units can be used for eachtype of glass.

It is an object, therefore, of the invention toprovide a packaging unitwhich adapts to various shapes and sizes of glass and which inherentlyproduces a suitable edge protection and spacing in a package unit forshipping.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a packaging systemwhich is extremely simple and one which utilizes stabilizing or locatingunits which can be made from fiat sheets and which will assumethree-dimensional shapes upon installation.

Other objects and features of the invention will be ap parent in thefollowing description and claims in which the principle of the inventionand the operation is described in connection with the best modecontemplated.

Drawings accompany the disclosure and the various views thereof may bebriefly described as:

FIGURE 1, a layout of a structural unit of the device.

FIGURE 2, a view of the structural unit in proper shape forinstallation.

FIGURE 3, a perspective view of a package utilizing the locatingcomponents.

FIGURE 4, a sectional view on line 44 of FIG- URE 3.

FIGURE 5, a view of a modified structure to provide a wider bottomspacing dimension.

FIGURE 6, a fragmentary view of an alternative structure with a doubletop fold.

Referring to the drawings, in FIGURE 1 an elongate sheet of cardboardmaterial is shown at and this sheet is formed with two transverse foldcreases 12 and 14 and additional fold creases 16 which extend partiallyacross the sheet. Joining the fold creases 16 are L-shaped cuts 18spaced to each side of the transverse folds 12. The device as precut andprecreased can then be shaped into a structure shown in FIGURE 2 whereinthe two portions on either side of the fold 12 form angled panels 20'and the folding elevates the edges 22 of the cuts 18 so that they becomespaced upwardly from the base panel formed by the sections 24, 26 and 28to form recesses.

3,389,786 Patented June 25, 1968 As shown in FIGURE 3, when the basepanels are stapled as at 29 to a supporting sheet of a box-likeconstruction 30, the notches or recesses formed by the raised portionsof the panel 10 will receive the edge of a plate 32 and space it awayfrom the bottom panel 34 of the box as well as away from the side walls36 and 38. The bottom panel 34 may have depending edges 35 to space itfrom the box bottom 37. The crown portions 20 also serve to space thecover member 40 from the glass panel so that the panel is actuallycontained in the box spaced from all walls thereof and thus protected.

In FIGURE 5, a modified structure is shown wherein end tabs 46 areprovided on the ends of the blank 50, these tabs being folded on theends 24 and 28 and stapled at 52 to provide additional thicknessunderlying the plate which is supported by the unit. The notch 54 wouldbe then cut a little deeper to provide the necessary clearance for theedge of the glass plate and the plate would support on the folded tabs46. The staples for the tabs are preferably spaced behind the base edge56 of the notches to avoid scratching the glass panel, but the tabspreferably do not extend the full width of the blank 50 since this wouldinterfere with the normal stapling to the bottom of the container.

It will thus be seen that the blanks 10 can be readily shaped on the jobby reason of the directional folds which are provided and stapled inposition by an operator while engaging securely the edges of the glasspanel. Thus, the panel will be secured against shifting in alldirections and spaced from the walls of the container to permit safeshipment.

It will be appreciated that the package described can be used either fortempered glass or laminated glass. Tempered glass needs less protectionagainst side blows and the spacing from the walls of the carton is notespecially critical. Thus, the tray bottom 34 with sides 35 wouldpreferably be used with laminate glass which is more subject to crackingfrom side blows. Tempered glass is highly resistant to side shock andaccordingly the elements 10 can be stapled directly to the side wall ofa carton as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

In FIGURE 6, a modified construction is shown wherein a double fold isprovided in the edge holding unit. In this figure, the base unit 60 onthe box side 37 has two up folds 62 at the base and two spaced downfolds 64 to form a raised panel 66, the notches or recesses being formedin the usual manner.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A packaging device for handling frangible sheets such as glass whichcomprises a supporting panel in a shipping container and a plurality oflocating units adapted for edge contact with a sheet to be shippedcomprising an elongate plate of relatively rigid material adapted to befolded at spaced transverse lines, one or more pairs of L-shaped cutspositioned with the Us reversed with respect to each other in spacedrelation, the plate being folded on said lines at the L-shaped cuts toform a ridge with a triangular cross-section, the edges of one end ofsaid ridge being spaced by reason of said cuts from the plate to providea retaining slot, said units being disposed around a sheet of glass orthe like on said supporting panel to receive and lock the edges of thesheet to be anchored to said panel for shipment.

2. An edge plate for locating a sheet of frangible material in adirection parallel to the plane of said sheet and transverse theretowhich comprises a plate of material such as cardboard folded on aplurality of spaced parallel lines, the two outside folds being in onedirection and one or more center folds being in the opposite directionto create a raised portion in said plate, and an L- shaped cut at theends of said outside folds originating at short distance inside eachoutside fold and progressing inwardly substantially in the direction ofsaid folds a short distance and then outwardly to said outside folds tocreate an edge slot bounded on one side by the edges of said panel andon the other side by edges of the raised p0rtions of the plate at saidcut.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 in which the ends of the plate aredoubled back on themselves to raise a second sheet above a support onwhich the plate is located.

4. A packaging assembly for frangible sheets and the like whichcomprises a box having a bottom panel forming a part of an enclosure, asecondary bottom on said bottom panel having depending sides to spacethe secondary panel upwards from said bottom, and a plurality of edgeplates for locating a sheet of frangible material to be shipped in saidbox comprising a plate of material such as cardboard folded between twoedges to create a raised References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,005,967 6/1935 Berdan 20662 2,598,492 5/1952 Boes 206-65 2,663,41712/1953 Kincaid 20662 MARTHA L. RICE, Primary Examiner.

